Serum levels of Vitamin D metabolites in puberty

Abstract

In order to relate the Vitamin D metabolism in puberty to sex, sexual maturation, and indirectly, to growth velocity and cessation, the serum levels of 25-OHD, 1.25-(OH)₂D, 24,25-(OH)₂D, 25,26-(OH)₂D were measured in 177 normal adolescent girls and boys. The mean values of 25-OHD, 24,25-(OH)₂D, and 25,26-(OH)₂D showed seasonal variation with significantly higher levels in early autumn than late spring. There were significant correlations between the levels of 25-OHD and 24,25-(OH)₂D (r=0.85, p<0.0005) and 25,26-(OH)₂D(r=0.49,p<0.0005). In girls 1.25-(OH)₂D increased from age 11 to a peak at 12 (p<0.0005) and then decreased. In boys the rise occurred between age 13 to 14 (p<0.0005) with subsequent decline. At ages 12 and 13 years girls had significantly higher levels than boys (p<0.0025). When the 1.25-(OH)₂D values were related to stage of puberty, the girls showed maximal increase between stages 1 and 2 (p<0.0005) with a peak at stage 3, whereas the boys showed a significant increase from stage 2 to a peak at stage 3 (p<0.01). In both sexes there were subsequent significantly decreasing values to stages 4 through 5. The ratio of 24,25-(OH)₂D to 25-OHD varied inversely with the 1.25-(OH)₂D concentration with lowest value at age 12 in both sexes, followed by a gradual increase to a plateau at age 15 in the girls and 17 in the boys. Vitamin D is required for normal bone formation, and the changes in Vitamin D metabolism presumably reflect increased demands at puberty.

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